Trend Alert: Investment Dressing

      Many young teenage consumers want the latest apparel fashions, and durability is unimportant to them because fashion will make their wardrobe obsolete before they wear the outfit out.  On the other hand, most adults tend to be interested in purchasing classic apparel such as coats and suits that can be worn for several seasons, because utility and durability are important to them.  The term for this type of shopping is called investment dressing.
      Due to the economic downturn in recent years, investment dressing has taken a rise in popularity.  Because the economy shows little signs of improving in coming years, investment dressing is often named "the new Black." While this was very popular in 2009 when the economy was at a very low point, it is still very common a few years later.  Many magazines, such as Harper's Bazaar, are showing articles on how to investment dress correctly and how to "recession-proof your wardrobe."  British Designer Vivienne Westwood describes before her show in Paris in 2008, "In these hard times- dress up. There is status in wearing your favorites over and over until they grow old or fall apart."
      While many of the world's luxury fashion houses did not agree to this quote by Westwood, more have joined her.  Dozens of designers have decided to provide the consumers with well-made, timeless classics that people can wear for many years.  A few examples of the investment pieces that designers are making are belted skirt suits, tailored trousers, blazers, classic sheath dresses, well-made blouses, and pant suits.
      There are many different price ranges for investment dressing.  It is easy to find good quality classics that will be very durable at stores such as Macy's and Talbot's.  There are also a wide variety of higher priced garments that would qualify as investment dressing as well.  A few of the designers who pinned their hopes on the basic classics were:
   Burberry Trench Coats                                                                           Jil Sander Blazers


                                                   
 
                             














                                                     Oscar De La RentaSkirt Suits                                      

Investment dressing is a great way to make sure the clothing that you buy lasts for a while and is worth your money.  Because investment clothing is made to be classic and worn several seasons, look at utility and durability when purchasing these garments.  When buying an investment piece, make sure that it is something you really love and will wear forever, because this will reduce its cost per wear and it will be much more ethical than buying cheap clothing that you will wear far less often.

Recall of Flammable Garments

          In the past year, a large amount of clothing has had to be recalled due to the lack of adherence to the Flammable Fabrics Act. This act, established in 1953, classifies fabrics according to how fast they burn under controlled testing conditions.  Standards for rating apparel fabrics is divided into three categories: Class 1 is normal flammability, Class 2 is intermediate flammability, and Class 3 is rapid and intense burning.  If the fabric is unsuitable for clothing, it would fall into Class 3.  This means that the flame is spread throughout the garment in 3.5 seconds or less. Manufacturers, distributers, retailers, and importers should carefully evaluate the flammability compliance of their garments before sale.  Unfortunately, many stores have been selling clothes that are unfit for safety.   


      One of the stores that is having to recall many garments is Chanel.  A large amount of scarves, tops, and dresses have been recalled because they have been reported as being highly flammable.  These items, all made from pure silk, retail from $430 to $3,650.  The Consumer Product Safety Commission has asked that all customers immediately stop wearing these garments and return them to the store for a full refund. These items are considered extremely dangerous because they fail to meet flammability standards and pose a fire hazard to the consumer.  Pictures of the aforementioned garments are shown below. 

      Chanel has not been the only store that has had to recall garments due to flammability.  Macy's recently recalled womens' dresses as well as children and infants' pajamas.  In Culver City, California, Macy's stores have issued the recall in cooperation with USCPSC.  There were around 2100 dresses involved in this recall due to the lack of meeting federal flammability standards.  This poses a fire hazard to the consumer and can be very dangerous.  Macy's has also recalled a large amount of childrens' pajamas.  Hundreds of sets of children's sleepwear have been recalled by Sage Green Organics.  These pajamas did not meet the tight fitting sizing requirements and failed to meet the federal flammability standards for childrens' sleepwear.  Pictures of the womens' dresses and childrens' sleepwear are shown below.

      It is very important that the manufacturers, distributers, importers, and retailers carefully evaluate their garments before selling them to make sure that they comply with the Flammable Fabrics Act.  This will save a lot of money and time, and it is extremely important so that their garments do not cause harm to the consumers.